“Time to go,” Kiva announces from my doorway.
I groan.
It’s Cooper’s turn to sigh.
Hashtag rolls his eyes and flips over to lick his butt.
Cooper drops his forehead to mine. “It’s sexy how you look out for everyone around you, but don’t do it to the detriment of your own health. Bet they’d love a long weekend pass to an all-inclusive with their families as much.”
“Accurate,” Kiva says. “Now move.”
My stomach grumbles in a way it hasn’t since right before I went on stage Friday night.
Yesterday, I blew off everything and stayed home in bed with Cooper, and it wasglorious.
Also, it wasn’t totally in bed.
We also spent time in my pool. And in my sauna. And in my movie theater. And in my shower.
I definitely liked the shower the best.
And we spent time reading each other Fiery fanfic, and watchingWho’s Your Family?, and talking about our families, and telling stories about growing up and being on the road, and havingfun.
“Your cat isn’t ready,” Kiva says.
Hashtag lifts his face from his butt and gives her a death glare.
“I’ve got him.” Cooper drops one more kiss on my forehead, then scoots off the bed. Since he played superhero cleaning up the baby Thursday night, he’s also played superhero with charming my cat.
Hashtag flops onto his back and shows Cooper his belly.
“Who’s a good kitty? Who’s such a good kitty who can’t wait to go get on an airplane with his mommy?”
Cooper Rock makes me want things.
He makes me wanthome. He makes me wantfamily.
He makes me want a life.
And he makes me wanthim.
He flashes a grin at me as Hashtag plays the role of a limp rag in his arms. “See? All it took was catnip, kitty treats, a new cat bed, a new cat tree, a fishing pole toy, sixty-three varieties of play mice, and some fresh salmon—but only the salmon from that one market, not the other salmon—and he’s the happiest cat on the planet.”
“I honestly can’t believe I’m going to miss him, but I think I am,” Kiva mutters.
Don’t ask me how many times I’ve randomly burst out laughing this weekend.
I couldn’t even begin to count.
But it’s one more reason that I almost make Cooper late for his flight when we pull up to the airport.
“Why am I not giving you a ride in my plane?” I ask before I let him out of the car.
“Because you’re flying to Seattle and I’m flying to Florida.” He leans over and kisses my jaw under my ear. “I’ll call you.”
“Videocall,” I remind him.
“Can’t wait.”
